Multiuser as a way to cover root - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys,
First of all, I think this is the place to ask this, but if it weren't, please feel free to move to somewhere more adequate.
My bank has blocked its app on rooted phones. Is something that I don't agree with, but I understand why they do it (even when I think it's pointless). I also use a couple of apps that require root, and as of now, I prefer to be rooted than using the banking app. I was wondering if it would be possible, due to android's multiuser support, to have two users, one with root, one without, and use the unrooted user for the banking app. I searched a bit and come with nothing, with either means that is not possible, or that I am terrible at searching. Has somebody tried this?

Related

[Q] Root or Sideloading Nook Tablet

Hello,
I have been reading many threads about rooting and sideloading and a bit confused.
I am assuming that rooting will void the warranty. Is this correct?.
Now if I sideload apps, could a software update remove the ability to sideload and remove any previous programs installed?.
Any other advantages to rooting other than having access to the full market?.
Thanks
Polar99.
Additional Question about Android Market
I would like to piggyback on this thread as I too am considering rooting my Nook to gain access to the Android Market. However, I'm reluctant to take this step as it voids the warranty, and I would only be willing to do so if I'm guaranteed access to the market.
This is my first Android-based device, so I have no other access to the market. When I try to download apps from the market webpage right now (no root) it says: "There are no Android phones associated with this account. Please sign in with a different account." So, here's my question:
If I root my Nook and browse the market using the app, will it automatically detect that I have an android device and allow me to download apps, or will I still have to "link" a device to the account? If I would have to link a device, is there a way to link the rooted Nook, or do I need another, legitimate android-based device (phone, etc.) in order to create an account. Or, for a 3rd option, is there a workaround to the linking requirement?
Thank you in advance for the replies! And, to help the original poster despite my very noob-ish status on this forum, I believe that rooting DOES void the warranty.
Shaftakovich said:
I would only be willing to do so if I'm guaranteed access to the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Noone here will give you a guarantee!
We can only provide empiric data, and so far that says you will most probably (pretty close to certainty) be able to access the Android Market if you root your device following the directions given.
Thanks for the heads-up! I realize that nothing is a guarantee in this sort of situation, but I just want to make sure that I would *most likely* be able to access the market without access to some other android device.
Shaftakovich said:
Thanks for the heads-up! I realize that nothing is a guarantee in this sort of situation, but I just want to make sure that I would *most likely* be able to access the market without access to some other android device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed! I am a Mac user and followed the instructions in the Mac thread and it worked first time, without any major problems. First time I rooted (done it a couple of times because I have fiddled beyond my level of comprehension so I have needed a factory reset) it worked perfectly! It will root your tablet and give you access to Android Market.
Good luck and let us know how it works out for you! IF you run in to trouble you can always post, people here are generally friendly if your question is humble (as in "not demanding")
One More Question
For anyone that might know: should I wait until I get my SD card before rooting the Nook, or is it okay to do it without one installed? (Or maybe it makes no difference - I don't know )
polar99 said:
Hello,
Any other advantages to rooting other than having access to the full market?.
Polar99.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too would love to hear some opinions on root over simply sideloading. I've been sideloading and been pretty happy, and wondering the benefits of rooting beyond acess to market. I'm not the most techy guy, and sideloading is working pretty well.
My dad has been side-loading on his Nook Tablet for a bit now. It wasn't difficult for him to get started when I directed him to the threads on xda. He installed the Amazon Market without issue and is enjoying purchasing apps and the benefits of the "Free App of the Day". He is using SlideMe instead of Google's official Android Market. He loves the ability to switch between the Nook's stock interface and his Go Launcher setup. He even has most of the Google Apps running (excluding the Market and a couple others).
All this without root.
What root gets you at this point is primarily the ability to tinker with system files and to get some items items working, such as the Google Market, that might not work otherwise. It will also allow you to do backups of all your apps using Titanium Backup or similar apps which is great. If, however, you can live without that, side-loading is a great way to avoid getting worried about "voiding your warranty".
That said, Indirect now has a one-click un-root on the market that will take your Nook Tablet back to stock and B&N will be none the wiser in the event you want to send yours back.
Shaftakovich said:
I would like to piggyback on this thread as I too am considering rooting my Nook to gain access to the Android Market. However, I'm reluctant to take this step as it voids the warranty, and I would only be willing to do so if I'm guaranteed access to the market.
This is my first Android-based device, so I have no other access to the market. When I try to download apps from the market webpage right now (no root) it says: "There are no Android phones associated with this account. Please sign in with a different account." So, here's my question:
If I root my Nook and browse the market using the app, will it automatically detect that I have an android device and allow me to download apps, or will I still have to "link" a device to the account? If I would have to link a device, is there a way to link the rooted Nook, or do I need another, legitimate android-based device (phone, etc.) in order to create an account. Or, for a 3rd option, is there a workaround to the linking requirement?
Thank you in advance for the replies! And, to help the original poster despite my very noob-ish status on this forum, I believe that rooting DOES void the warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Double piggy-backing....
I have just rooted my Nook Tablet successfully, but not get the same message as you're getting...basically that I don't have any android device associated with my Google Account...
How can I associate the Nook Tablet to the Android Market????
Thanks!,
Gizmo
PlacidCat said:
My dad has been side-loading on his Nook Tablet for a bit now. It wasn't difficult for him to get started when I directed him to the threads on xda. He installed the Amazon Market without issue and is enjoying purchasing apps and the benefits of the "Free App of the Day". He is using SlideMe instead of Google's official Android Market. He loves the ability to switch between the Nook's stock interface and his Go Launcher setup. He even has most of the Google Apps running (excluding the Market and a couple others).
All this without root.
What root gets you at this point is primarily the ability to tinker with system files and to get some items items working, such as the Google Market, that might not work otherwise. It will also allow you to do backups of all your apps using Titanium Backup or similar apps which is great. If, however, you can live without that, side-loading is a great way to avoid getting worried about "voiding your warranty".
That said, Indirect now has a one-click un-root on the market that will take your Nook Tablet back to stock and B&N will be none the wiser in the event you want to send yours back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't on the market yet because we would have to remove the paypal donation link. :| Wondering what to do because of it. I don't want to force people to donate to me, but I don't want to be completely left without a viable way to have some kind of cash flow.
Indirect said:
It isn't on the market yet because we would have to remove the paypal donation link. :| Wondering what to do because of it. I don't want to force people to donate to me, but I don't want to be completely left without a viable way to have some kind of cash flow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoops, sorry about that! I thought I had read a post about it being available but I most likely mis-read it in my excitement.
In any case, un-root is possible and makes rooting simply a choice of whether or not you want to do some additional tinkering, not whether or not you are afraid of the B&N wolf.
>It isn't on the market yet because we would have to remove the paypal donation link.
I wouldn't bother putting it on the Market. Peeps who know enough to root would already be here on XDA, and those who don't know, wouldn't have Market in the first place.
And not to dampen your enthusiasm.. while there may be enough in donations to get a small pizza, calling it a "cash flow" would be a bit optimistic. Your audience size is small, and their purse string is even smaller. Dean Gibson can probably tell you something about that. Just FYI.
I have a bit of a unique situation in that I work at B&N, who have no problem with employees rooting beyond the usual warranty void. Even with one-click unroot, my store woild know it was rooted, meaning to file a claim I'd most likely have to do it behind my store's back, and that sort of thing has a tendency to come back and bite you on the ass.
That said, is there an emulator on a rooted tab that would display the default NT ui?
What software diags do B&N techs use to service NTs? Can you provide a copy?

[Q] The benefits of rooting a Nook Tablet?

Hello everyone, and thank you very much for all your hard work in this forum. Also, I'd like to apologize if my questions have been answered elsewhere. I've searched, but I must have missed the answers.
First of all, I'm a noob all right: first-time owning an android device and having almost no experience with linux/unix systems. However, I'm not afraid to learn and tinker with things if I know what I'm doing, the rewards and the risks involved. I have searched and read quite a bit, but I still can't decide whether I want to root my tablet or not. Hence the question: What are the benefits of rooting the NT?
1. Install 3rd party apps?
This seems to be the biggest reason for most people who decide to root their NT. However I'm not an app junkie. In fact I prefer my device to be lean and mean, so I try to minimize the number of apps I install. I don't play games, not even Angry Birds, so the apps that I'm interested in are mostly utility apps. I value functions more than looks, so I couldn't care less about installing a personalized color theme, but I would go all out to get something that helps me organize my stuffs. I have tons of music and books and PDF documents that without a folder system, it would be an impossible pain to scroll up and down to find the thing I want. So my questions are: does stock NT allow us to organize our stuffs into nested folders? If it's a no for stock NT, can rooted NT do that? I've heard that we need to sideload 3rd party app (mxplayer) to playback some video files (mkv)? Can I stream flash videos, such as those on youtube or hulu.com, using built-in web browser, or do I need to root my NT and install particular browser? Is there a good app to read and annotate PDF documents? Can I install voice chat apps such as GTalk or Skype? Is there a good app for sketching with or without a stylus?
I guess my question is, are there such apps, and if there are, can I sideload them without rooting?
2. Remove memory restriction?
We have only 1GB for non-nook stuffs and restrictions on what apps we can install where. Even though we can sideload many non-nook apps as well as non-nook content without rooting, they are not going to be stored in the nook-only partition, right? So is there a way we can access and store our stuffs on that huge nook-only space without rooting? If not, will rooting allow us to do that? It just seems unfair to me that out of 12GB, we have only 1GB for our own stuffs.
3. System/Interface modifications?
I read somewhere that NT does have a bluetooth chip, but rooting still doesn't make it usable. Then what are the main modifications we can do? Would any of them prevent us from unrooting and returning the NT to stock if need be?
Thank you very much for reading my post, and again sorry if I unknowingly violate any rules/etiquette of the forum.
Lot's of questions, but that's ok. I have a nook color that was rooted, and my android phone is rooted...and that's about the extent of my experience, but it lets me compare to a non-rooted NT just fine.
I'm finding that with a little effort, my stock NT is just about as flexible as my rooted NC. Without rooting, I've got a ton of apps sideloaded, a different launcher running, an app that allows me to access specific apps or the whole drawer no matter where I am (wave launcher), dropbox, pdf's a plenty, netflix and hulu...yeah. I'm actually impressed with the stock pdf reader as I can highlight and look up words directly from the text, but I primarily use Repligo for pdf's as the stock reader sucks at reflowing the text. I keep just about everything on my sd card, so I'm not too concerned with the storage partition. I plan on getting a 32gb card and moving apps to sd if I have to...no biggie.
The only thing I really miss about not being rooted is not being able to use titanium back up, or access to the android market for updating my apps, and the only reason I'm not is that I'm too lazy to go through the process. As of right now, if I want an app on my NT, I either get it off the Amazon market (which can easily be installed on a stock NT), or I pull the apk from my titanium back ups on my phone. I know it's not a true tablet, so I'm not so concerned with putting different roms on it. I like it as a high power reader.
It sounds like you don't need a rooted NT, really. Android market is the main reason for most people who don't want to fully use it as an android tablet or mess around with settings to use the machine.
You can install launchers, other apps, amazon market, etc, without rooting it - and a 16 or 32GB sd card is going to be plenty on a reader/browser/streaming entertainment device. As mentioned in another thread, if you're asking why? then you don't need it Try to do whatever you want without it, and keep in mind that it's *not* a drastic procedure if you do decide to root the device, and you can always unroot/go back to factory whenever.
tkanne said:
Hello everyone, and thank you very much for all your hard work in this forum. Also, I'd like to apologize if my questions have been answered elsewhere. I've searched, but I must have missed the answers.
First of all, I'm a noob all right: first-time owning an android device and having almost no experience with linux/unix systems. However, I'm not afraid to learn and tinker with things if I know what I'm doing, the rewards and the risks involved. I have searched and read quite a bit, but I still can't decide whether I want to root my tablet or not. Hence the question: What are the benefits of rooting the NT?
1. Install 3rd party apps?
This seems to be the biggest reason for most people who decide to root their NT. However I'm not an app junkie. In fact I prefer my device to be lean and mean, so I try to minimize the number of apps I install. I don't play games, not even Angry Birds, so the apps that I'm interested in are mostly utility apps. I value functions more than looks, so I couldn't care less about installing a personalized color theme, but I would go all out to get something that helps me organize my stuffs. I have tons of music and books and PDF documents that without a folder system, it would be an impossible pain to scroll up and down to find the thing I want. So my questions are: does stock NT allow us to organize our stuffs into nested folders? If it's a no for stock NT, can rooted NT do that? I've heard that we need to sideload 3rd party app (mxplayer) to playback some video files (mkv)? Can I stream flash videos, such as those on youtube or hulu.com, using built-in web browser, or do I need to root my NT and install particular browser? Is there a good app to read and annotate PDF documents? Can I install voice chat apps such as GTalk or Skype? Is there a good app for sketching with or without a stylus?
I guess my question is, are there such apps, and if there are, can I sideload them without rooting?
2. Remove memory restriction?
We have only 1GB for non-nook stuffs and restrictions on what apps we can install where. Even though we can sideload many non-nook apps as well as non-nook content without rooting, they are not going to be stored in the nook-only partition, right? So is there a way we can access and store our stuffs on that huge nook-only space without rooting? If not, will rooting allow us to do that? It just seems unfair to me that out of 12GB, we have only 1GB for our own stuffs.
3. System/Interface modifications?
I read somewhere that NT does have a bluetooth chip, but rooting still doesn't make it usable. Then what are the main modifications we can do? Would any of them prevent us from unrooting and returning the NT to stock if need be?
Thank you very much for reading my post, and again sorry if I unknowingly violate any rules/etiquette of the forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm somewhat experienced with Android, but I just lurk on the forums, I rarely post. The talent here and on other forums is amazing. You ask why root? And then you spell out the 3 main reasons for rooting. You kinda answered your own question. What you need to do now is make a decision for your self if you want to root. Factory restore is real easy, as long as you don't mess with the partitions, if you need warranty. One reason for rooting you left out, which to me is the most important, it's my hardware, I'll do what I want to with it-once I pay for it I don't want to be told what I can and cannot do with it. I guess that's ego. I love mine rooted, it's a decent standard android tab, and the Nook, because all the Nook software is still there-I chose not to remove it. Whatever you decide, though, Enjoy it!
Thank you all so much for replying to my post. It sounds like I don't need to root my NT, and that's my feeling too. Rooting or unrooting the device doesnt seem to be difficult, I was just wondering if it's worth it. I didn't want to miss out on something cool if I don't. I'm quite keen on reclaiming as much built-in memory as I can though, so I'll keep an eye out for when the gurus in this forum find out how to do create and mount a virtual FAT filesystem as mentioned in this post. It will also be real cool if someone figure out how to make the bluetooth chip work, if at all possible.
I have a question about Android market though. What's the main benefits of having Android Market vs Amazon Appstore?
Thanks again.
tkanne said:
I didn't want to miss out on something cool if I don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be - it's mostly convenience and exposure to more apps (by browsing the market), and a few other things (backup tools).
The Amazon store sort of seems to be pulling apps from a small (very small, like 2% or so currently) section of the Android market actually, since I've found deals on Amazon mirrored when the Android market was having a sale - but never the reverse. So: main advantage is separate deal opportunities for when apps go on sale. If you have access to an android device (your phone etc) you can just buy them on that device instead and port them over. The Amazon store is actually nicer and has more features that you'll like - the ability to block in-app purchases, much more reliable reviews, daily free app deals, so it's not bad at all. The Android market is much much bigger, but that likely means both harder to find stuff and ending up with a lot of apps that flat out don't work or crash on the NT. And who knows, the B&N app store might be expanded to be fairly large next year (they're planning on it).
Wow, thanks so much for the explanation, zmobie. Now I feel totally confident that I won't need the Android Market, at least as far as I can see. I might still root my NT though, one day, just for the fun of it
Amazon DRM
Let's not fail to mention that apps purchased through the Amazon App Store have been infected with DRM (digital rights management). You must keep the Amazon App Store application installed so that it can verify that you did not steal the apps. Though I am uncertain whether it keeps a log or actually makes contact with Amazon.com.
Then there is the fact that it runs in the background constantly. The NT may have the memory for it but my phone doesn't
So here we are, talking about not being coerced or controlled by hardware manufacturers but are perfectly willing to drink the Amazon kool-aid.
Thanks, Nuenjin. I didn't know that about Amazon Appstore. I hate things that run in the background unnecessarily, and this will be one of those. Why does it need to do that? Can we force it to close or change the settings such that it wont start automatically (sth similar to changing the startup settings on the PC)? As for the DRM, do we have a way to strip it off the apps? I bought ebooks from amazon now and then, and I always strip off the DRM so I can read them on other devices...
Nuenjin said:
Let's not fail to mention that apps purchased through the Amazon App Store have been infected with DRM (digital rights management). You must keep the Amazon App Store application installed so that it can verify that you did not steal the apps. Though I am uncertain whether it keeps a log or actually makes contact with Amazon.com.
Then there is the fact that it runs in the background constantly. The NT may have the memory for it but my phone doesn't
So here we are, talking about not being coerced or controlled by hardware manufacturers but are perfectly willing to drink the Amazon kool-aid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this also apply to the "free app of the day" from amazon?
HMG10 said:
Does this also apply to the "free app of the day" from amazon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very much so
There are many people who do not mind a little DRM with their breakfast. They get a free app every day and sometimes better deals on the rest. I don't own any tablet yet, waiting on money honestly, but my phone can't support another memory sucking app that doesn't pull its own weight.
I read an article, and I'm looking for it so I can post it, about the hoops that Amazon forces developers to jump through.
For instance:
-The free app of the day; the developer gets no royalty for a free app.
-DRM is 'optional' but has anyone found an Amazon app that does not contain it?
-Developers cannot put their app 'on sale' outside of Amazon without lowering their Amazon price permanently.
-Amazon decides where the app will be priced, not the developer.
Sorry to go on, but once again, I don't like to do business with people/groups who bully their way into market share. That's Apple's model.
Nuenjin said:
There are many people who do not mind a little DRM with their breakfast. They get a free app every day and sometimes better deals on the rest. I don't own any tablet yet, waiting on money honestly, but my phone can't support another memory sucking app that doesn't pull its own weight.
I read an article, and I'm looking for it so I can post it, about the hoops that Amazon forces developers to jump through.
For instance:
-The free app of the day; the developer gets no royalty for a free app.
-DRM is 'optional' but has anyone found an Amazon app that does not contain it?
-Developers cannot put their app 'on sale' outside of Amazon without lowering their Amazon price permanently.
-Amazon decides where the app will be priced, not the developer.
Sorry to go on, but once again, I don't like to do business with people/groups who bully their way into market share. That's Apple's model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a poor business model, as it pushes developers away.
Follow up question on amazon app market: if you get the free app of the day, is it forever tied to your amazon account? Can I remove amazon app store then someday put it back on and have access to those free apps?
HMG10 said:
Sounds like a poor business model, as it pushes developers away.
Follow up question on amazon app market: if you get the free app of the day, is it forever tied to your amazon account? Can I remove amazon app store then someday put it back on and have access to those free apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, they're tied to your account. So as long as you attach the app store to the same account (and the apps haven't been removed by amazon for some reason) you'll have access to them.
akaCat said:
and the apps haven't been removed by amazon for some reason
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pay for the app but Amazon can still remove it if they want? Now that's really ridiculous. Please, do we have a way to remove DRM? I'm totally new to this whole thing so I have no idea...
By the way, just to confirm, Android Market doesn't do this?
And one more question, I bought SoundHound from Apple AppStore for my iPhone. Is there a way I can install it on my NT? Or do I need to buy its Android version?
tkanne said:
I pay for the app but Amazon can still remove it if they want? Now that's really ridiculous. Please, do we have a way to remove DRM? I'm totally new to this whole thing so I have no idea...
By the way, just to confirm, Android Market doesn't do this?
And one more question, I bought SoundHound from Apple AppStore for my iPhone. Is there a way I can install it on my NT? Or do I need to buy its Android version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an android version.
tkanne said:
I pay for the app but Amazon can still remove it if they want? Now that's really ridiculous. Please, do we have a way to remove DRM? I'm totally new to this whole thing so I have no idea...
By the way, just to confirm, Android Market doesn't do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only meant if Amazon hasn't removed the apps from their market. I have no idea if any android app vendor has a way to remove a downloaded app from a device.
Google has removed numerous apps from the android market. The ones I've heard of were all malware of some sort, so no loss.

Noob needing a little direction

Just purchased SGS3 and SGN10.1, havent downloaded any apps as of yet because I am not comfortable with the permissions issue.
I also have not rooted as I am waiting for my sandisk extreme pro sd cards, but i have some clarity i need in moving forward.
How can i best protect my phone and the info in it - mostly for the protection of my clients contact info and just the general fact that nobody needs to know my info without my knowing why.
I have been online for the last 5 days trying to understand what i need to worry about and what i dont.
I have a copy of whispercore 0.5.2 and would like to know if i can use it on my sgs3
Do i need to root my device to give optinal protection PROS/CONS
How is the avast protection
And most importantly - are these protections necessary or have i been sidewiped by chicken little?
How can i determine the best app for me - preferrably with no permissions
I really need a good mail app, document editing app, pdf app, and possibly a CAD app
I have been overwhelmed with info over the last 5 days and need some help with clarification and facts.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Confus-ed:silly:
An app with no permissions has the ability to access nothing so in essence will be of little use. Contacts are synced with Google unless you opt out that decreases security. Personally if your clients details are that sensitive use a dumb phone for work and keep your S3 for less sensitive tasks.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Are you trolling me?
Just running through the threads trying to increase your reply and post count?
I would appreciate that if you dont have any real information to share, dont waste my time with your non-answer.
confus-ed said:
Are you trolling me?
Just running through the threads trying to increase your reply and post count?
I would appreciate that if you dont have any real information to share, dont waste my time with your non-answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What?
He answered your question, an app that asks for no permissions can't do much, apps need to have permissions to do various tasks.
If you're that paranoid about safety don't root and just use reputable apps from Google play store.
Edit: in fact the more I read you reply to him the more I see that you have a terrible attitude.
Good luck finding help when you act like that.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
No attitude, i thought that i had explained in my original post that i have just spent 5 days scouring the web (which included xda).
I didnt ask about permissions nor did i ask about contacts being synced with google, I understand what the permissions do, but i also have read where you have control over the permissions when you root the phone.
Not paranoid, I just know the data mining that goes on and i am sure that my clients wouldnt want some random solicitation due to an app that has no need to access my contact list. such as a document editior.
My reply may have been a little short but ghost did not address any of my questions or concerns.
confus-ed said:
No attitude, i thought that i had explained in my original post that i have just spent 5 days scouring the web (which included xda).
I didnt ask about permissions nor did i ask about contacts being synced with google, I understand what the permissions do, but i also have read where you have control over the permissions when you root the phone.
Not paranoid, I just know the data mining that goes on and i am sure that my clients wouldnt want some random solicitation due to an app that has no need to access my contact list. such as a document editior.
My reply may have been a little short but ghost did not address any of my questions or concerns.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you do have control permission when you root, but rooting is a double edged sword because root apps actually have more "power" when it comes to your system and if there is malicious code in them it will also have superuser permissions if you give the main app superuser permissions.
The safest option is not to root, if you root you are opening your system up to exploitation.
I have rooted every android phone I have ever had and never had any problems but that choice is yours.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
nodstuff said:
Yes you do have control permission when you root, but rooting is a double edged sword because root apps actually have more "power" when it comes to your system and if there is malicious code in them it will also have superuser permissions if you give the main app superuser permissions.
The safest option is not to root, if you root you are opening your system up to exploitation.
I have rooted every android phone I have ever had and never had any problems but that choice is yours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the perspective of data mining, you're basically just as vulnerable with a non-root app, then only difference being that the non-root app will specifically ask for permissions to use your contacts.
At the end of the day, if you want decent integration between your personal data and your apps, you're going to need to accept some risk and allow someone elses code to run through your data. If you have sensitive client data, you'll most likely be safe if you stick to mainstream, popular apps, and keep a close eye on comments to make sure no one else has had issues with security. If you're really paranoid though, I would recommend you don't keep sensitive information on any device with internet access.
I would recommend LBE privacy guard it will prompt when an app is trying to access something and you decide to allow it or not, you can manage wich permissions you allow for each app, even cut it from any Internet access.
The app does require root to work
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Thank you

Is there a device and android version that allows complete control of all permissions

Is there a phone/android version that allows someone whos not an Android expert to actually have control over what their phones doing? Or is it just not possible nowadays for a regular person to fully control the info their phone sends?
Sorry if this sounds cynical, it really is a genuine question.
Thank you.
Hi Steve, it sounds like what you need is a rooted phone. Forgive me if you're already familiar with the term, but rooting basically gives you administrator rights over just about everything on your phone, with only a few exceptions depending on which Android version the phone is running. This allows you to do stuff like revoke permissions for apps, block ads, and change how Android looks and behaves.
Do you have a phone in mind already? If not, what's your budget?
questions should be posted in q/a Thread moved please review the rules ( located below)
rhythm_dx said:
Hi Steve, it sounds like what you need is a rooted phone. Forgive me if you're already familiar with the term, but rooting basically gives you administrator rights over just about everything on your phone, with only a few exceptions depending on which Android version the phone is running. This allows you to do stuff like revoke permissions for apps, block ads, and change how Android looks and behaves.
Do you have a phone in mind already? If not, what's your budget?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your help. I had a rooted phone, but a friend did it for me. Now I have a S8 active on Pie and from my research the bootloader I have (V5) is not rootable. I'm definitely not well versed in Android though and could be wrong. That's why I was wondering if there was a device that offered full control without the need and rick of rooting. If there's not, could you suggest one that is perhaps the simplest and least risky to root? I don't need top of the line, I don't game or anything and would be fine with getting something used. thanks again!
Luckily, there is a way in stock Android to control permissions! I forgot about it when I was typing my previous response. Here's an overview: https://www.howtogeek.com/355257/can-you-control-specific-permissions-on-android/ Hope that does what you're looking for.
If you want to do more with a rooted phone like block ads, there are some that are easily rootable, like the Google Pixel series. Here are a few options: https://www.androidcentral.com/best-phone-rooting-and-modding I liked the Pixel 2XL I used through my previous job, and I've heard good things about the other Pixels, for what that's worth. I haven't tried the other phones in that link, but the OnePlus phones have an excellent reputation.
There are many other phones that have varying degrees of difficulty for rooting, but I'm not aware of any relatively recent ones not on that list that I'd consider easy to root. I've found that the best approach to finding a new phone is going to GSM Arena's Phone Finder to put on my criteria, then coming back to XDA and searching through the forums to find out whether my prospective phone of choice has root yet. As you've discovered with your S8, some phones just never get there, which is pretty frustrating.
I hope that helps! Holler if you have any other questions.
Well, that's my main issue, you can only control certain permissions there. When I click "all permissions" I can see them all, but not turn them off. It's just a bummer that one has to go thru all this rigmarole to control a device they supposedly own. I was hoping maybe someone made a device that you could control stock, but I guess that was wishful thinking. Thanks again.
SteveJustSteve said:
Is there a phone/android version that allows someone whos not an Android expert to actually have control over what their phones doing? Or is it just not possible nowadays for a regular person to fully control the info their phone sends?
Sorry if this sounds cynical, it really is a genuine question.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must distinguish between Android OS itself and the apps that run on it: Android OS has no permissions you can invoke/revoke, only hardware/OS specific settings can be made there, but permissions can be granted/withdrawn from an app - if its developer has allowed the latter. To change the permissions of an app basically no rooted Android is required, this is done either via Android->Settings or via a 3rd-party APK editor.
BTW: It exist 3rd-party apps that can show you what apps are sending/receiving data over Internet.
Hint: Use your Android phone without Google.
Is root required to disable hardware?
SteveJustSteve said:
Is root required to disable hardware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, only a hammer. :laugh:

How To Guide Use german banking apps with root

I decided to root ky Pixel 6 and found out that i couldn't get around the security from germans banking apps.
simple soloution. have magisk/zygisk installed and set the root mode to "user" in the settings of magisk manager.
then go to your settings and setup a second user (wont have root) install your banking apps and enjoy the ability to use them with an rooted device
edit: this method was tested for Sparkasse app's
• S-Push Tan
• Mobiles Bezahlen
IndubidablyStoned said:
I decided to root ky Pixel 6 and found out that i couldn't get around the security from germans banking apps.
simple soloution. have magisk/zygisk installed and set the root mode to "user" in the settings of magisk manager.
then go to your settings and setup a second user (wont have root) install your banking apps and enjoy the ability to use them with an rooted device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not being critical of your choices but why would anyone chance having a banking institution or any financial app including
GPay on a rooted device? Isn't there a much greater chance of being compromised by an app or inadvertent web link? And if the banking institution sees that a bogus user was created what are the chances of recovering funds obtained through fraudulent activity? I understand why people want to root don't get me wrong, but money transfers and transactions on that device seem a little reckless to me. But I could be wrong, just curious of the thinking here.
i Understand, but if you want to have an custom DAC like Viper4Android you kinda need root. my intention isnt to do fraudulent activity, as i mentioned in the Post you dont have Root access on that second user
IndubidablyStoned said:
i Understand, but if you want to have an custom DAC like Viper4Android you kinda need root. my intention isnt to do fraudulent activity, as i mentioned in the Post you dont have Root access on that second user
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You misunderstood my concern wrt banking activity. I didn't suggest that you were doing anything fraudulent but if you were the victim of fraudulent activity would the bank still cover you with a bogus account you created? I don't know if what you did was entirely proper or not but that was not the issue I thought you might be concerned about.
As I said, I completely understand your desire to root be it V4A or DAC or even ad blocking. I just wonder the benefit vs the exposure if you are using banking apps. Without financial transactions occurring on the phone I doubt there is much to worry about other than what we are all concerned about root or not.
bobby janow said:
I'm not being critical of your choices but why would anyone chance having a banking institution or any financial app including
GPay on a rooted device? Isn't there a much greater chance of being compromised by an app or inadvertent web link? And if the banking institution sees that a bogus user was created what are the chances of recovering funds obtained through fraudulent activity? I understand why people want to root don't get me wrong, but money transfers and transactions on that device seem a little reckless to me. But I could be wrong, just curious of the thinking here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering DirtyPipe exists and has not been patched yet (plus how long it already took to even acknowledge the problem in the first place), rooting is the least of our worries when it comes to monetary transactions/banking and android.
Bear in mind that DirtyPipe is only one elevation exploit that we've heard about. And for every disclosed vulnerability there are dozens of others that nobody's aware of. The market for rooted android users is very small compared to the overall android phone-user market. Creating exploits specifically targeting rooted phones would be a waste of time and effort compared to working on privilege escalation on non-rooted devices; from a hacker's perspective you want to hit the largest volume of targets in cases like these.
I've been rooting my phones for 10 years now, and my usage of banking/fintech apps on my devices has increased consistently. Applying common sense opsec/infosec practices can negate a large percentage of the perceived risk that root access exposes you to.
On the other hand, if someone wants to target you specifically, as an individual, you're screwed, root or no root, unless you're aware of the risks that come with technology and the pitfalls of android (iOS can be perceived as more secure but when it comes to individual targeting/attacks, there are expensive tools made by some of the world's top intelligence organizations that can wreck havoc on iOS as well)
TL;DR you're never truly safe, root or no root.
Unfortunately that doesn't worked for me
I tested the following apps:
SecureGo
VR SecureGo
Mobiles bezahlen
Every App doesn't launch. Sparkasse is quitting instantly and SecureGo Apps are stuck with their logo.
On the rootet user I get the Browser-warning (of SecureGo) that my device doesn't meet the security requierements. So far so good, but on the non-rooted uses i would have expect that they're working.
Any Idea? I'm on April Build.
i dont know currently, i dont have root anymore since i had to update to the April Update. i'll update if there is something that can be done
Maybe you could confirm that these Apps launch on April build without root? That could help to research the problem a bit. Thanks!
hanni2301 said:
...but on the non-rooted uses i would have expect that they're working.
Any Idea? I'm on April Build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe these apps are not supporting fully Android 12?
I have an app which, until recently, was freezing when the location was enabled. To be exact, when "Use precise location" was enabled. Only location access the app was not freezing, but couldn't get the coordinates.
Maye this is a similar situation here.
Cheers
Tom
hanni2301 said:
Unfortunately that doesn't worked for me
I tested the following apps:
SecureGo
VR SecureGo
Mobiles bezahlen
Every App doesn't launch. Sparkasse is quitting instantly and SecureGo Apps are stuck with their logo.
On the rootet user I get the Browser-warning (of SecureGo) that my device doesn't meet the security requierements. So far so good, but on the non-rooted uses i would have expect that they're working.
Any Idea? I'm on April Build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to get the VR Secure Go app working by doing the steps in the op plus using ice box and freezing magisk and the bank apps. I'm on April, too and I'm using radioactive kernel. Rooted stock kernel works as well on my device, but I had issues with the bank apps on some other kernels.
So to confirm, you need to freeze magisk on the rooted user and you're able to use the bank apps on the second (non rooted) user?
On which user you would freeze the bank apps? I doesn't have them installed on the rooted user.
Thanks in advance that you can definitely confirm its not the fault of April built.
hanni2301 said:
So to confirm, you need to freeze magisk on the rooted user and you're able to use the bank apps on the second (non rooted) user?
On which user you would freeze the bank apps? I doesn't have them installed on the rooted user.
Thanks in advance that you can definitely confirm its not the fault of April built.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only have one user (the rooted user). I've done the following steps:
1. Configure magisk: activate Zygisk and setup deny list for the banking apps
2. Hide magisk app
3. Freeze magisk and banking apps with Ice Box
ok, that is the normal way which is different to the approach the thread starter has chosen.
I use deny list plus hide my applist and works fine with Sparkasse, s-push and mobil bezahlen no need to freeze or use a second user profile
How do you do that, hide applist?
You can bypass it by
Download App Named Shelter from Play store.
The App will create work profile and you can bypass any bank or app you facing issue with it.
When completed create work profile you can clone Bank App and use if.
As Information, It works out of the Box with Magisk denylist,
You only need to Install Ice Box and hide Magisk Manager, even if it is using a random name, "Mobiles Bezahlen" would detect it.
Magisk + Ice Box is sufficient on latest Miui 13 as well!
Regards!
Not sure but I think island could help not sure though as I'm not rooted the app is made by greenify
Only as info, these 2 Apps, Postbank Finanzassistent and Postbank BestSign working by default on a rooted device.
I like Postbank

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